Ministers in Bihar will soon travel in swanky sports utility vehicles instead of the old Ambassador with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar approving the proposal to purchase the new luxury vehicles.

The state government will purchase nearly 56 luxury cars for ministers, chief minister and their security personnel, official sources said. It is estimated that the cars would cost the exchequer Rs 8 to 9 crore.

Official sources said the government decided to purchase the fleet of luxury cars after the state cabinet sanctioned the amount few days ago.

The SUVs will be a 'gift' for the ministers when the Nitish Kumar government completes six months in office on Wednesday. Besides, the government plans to purchase air-conditioned cars for the top brass of the Bihar administration, including those of the secretary-level rank.

Nearly half-a-dozen specially built bulletproof Scorpio cars will be made available for Nitish Kumar owing to security threat.